Football aka Soccer Films

Why this choice of films? I'm a big fan of football in the U.K. That's why. Writing this I use "football" and "soccer" interchangeably, but its always the game you actually play with your feet and not your hands or arms. And don't call it soccer except in the U.S.

Goal: The Dream Begins (PG13) The actor, Kuno Becker, says in an "extra", "This is a story about dreams, this is a story about friendship, about love, about achieving a dream. This is a football film, but is not just about football." In Los Angeles illegally, since he was a child, Santiago is doing the kind of jobs available to undocumented persons, but yearns to be a soccer star. He gets his chance with the English team, Newcastle United, and the story goes on from there. An interesting aside is that Kuno gave up a career as a concert violinist to fulfill his dream of being an actor. He only played football in school.

There is a sequel, Goal 2, but it is not yet available in the U.S. I hope it is soon as my favorite team, Arsenal, is featured as the opponents of Santiago's new team, Real Madrid.

A Shot at Glory (PG) Can you picture Robert Duvall in a soccer film? Well, he is in this one. He's the manager of a "second tier" Scottish team and pressured by the owner to add a player that he just doesn't like or want. The part of this player is acted by an ex-soccer player (Rangers and Scotland). Like Goal, this is as much about families and relationships as soccer.

Mean Machine (R) This is based on the film classic, The Longest Yard. Ex-soccer player, Danny, ends up in jail because of a sports-fixing scam and a resulting assault charge. The warden wants Danny to coach the guards' soccer team, but he has a better idea and suggests a match between the guards and inmates, and he will coach the inmates. (Sound familiar now?) As in A Shot at Glory, Danny is played by an ex-footballer who played professionally for 15 years and is now turned actor. Ebert and Roeper liked it. I did too.

The Miracle Match (PG) This is based on a true story. In 1950, two weeks before the World Cup, a "ragtag team of recreational soccer players" from two cities, are chosen to represent the USA. Despite their differences and playing styles, they have to form themselves into a winning team and not embarrass themselves and their country. See what happens when they have to play the best team in the world. If you liked Rudy or Hoosiers, this is the film for you, and, with a PG rating, for the kids.

Now for the "nasty" bit of football -- the "hooligans."

Green Street Hooligans (R) A visiting American (Elijah Wood from Lord of the Rings) gets involved with a tough "firm" of diehard West Ham fans. He comes under the influence of the hooligan leader who mentors him in the firm's code of conduct. Is there honor among thugs?
Not for the kids, but hey, Ebert and Roeper liked this one too.

(Notice how when Ebert and Roeper like it, it rates a notice on the DVD cover?)

The Football Factory (R) (Definitely R) Based on a novel, it is "a study of middle-class England, football violence and male culture." Its more about fans than football action. There's some funny bits, and some big fights. Reviews from viewers vary from "excellent" to "rubbish." Some say watch Green Street Hooligans instead, others love it. All a matter of taste, I guess.

There are two additional football based films. Both I have "reviewed" in previous blogs. They are Fever Pitch and Bend it Like Beckham -- neither of which are in the hooligan category and well worth viewing.